Adjustable Stretcher Bars

Needlepoint Tool Time is stocking something new to me-adjustable stretcher bars.
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/product/FAE-4008

These come in several sizes.  The size given is the maximum size the bars will adjust to.  The manufacturer's website explains how they work and that they are made in China for Frank A. Edmunds Company.
http://www.faedmunds.com/stretcher-bars.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Favorite Background Stitches

Charlotte over at Sweet Sundays has three favorite background stitches and she's willing to share!
http://www.sweet-sundays.com/home-main/my-3-favorite-needlepoint-background-stitches

A lot of folks seem to like Nobuko Stitch and t-stitch for backgrounds as well.  Here are diagrams I found online.  Nobuko is first.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/10/stitch-of-week-nobuko.html

https://theflyingneedles.com/blogs/news/nobuko-stitch?se_activity_id=158726652130&syclid=ctv7shrbb0rc73airahg&utm_campaign=Introducing+12+Stitches+in+12+Months_158726652130&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

And here is t-stitch.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/02/t-stitch.html

I don't have a favorite background stitch myself.  I use a different one with each canvas as they all seem to need something different.  Still, if you are stumped for a background, the stitches above all work well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Boston Needlepoint Panels UPDATED

The Patriot Ledger just published this article online about a series of needlepoint panels depicting Boston scenes that have been donated to the Commonwealth Museum at the Massachusetts State Archives.
http://www.patriotledger.com/news/20170515/good-age-needlepoint-finds-its-place-in-history

These aren't the entire set but you can see the ones that are being donated by Nancy Roman by playing the video and then looking at the slide show below the article by clicking on the arrows.  There is a second video further down the page that is a brief interview with Ms. Roman that tells her needlepoint story of Boston in her own words.

UPDATE:  School kids visit the panels and meet Ms. Roman.  Use the side arrows to see the slide show.
http://www.patriotledger.com/news/20180518/quincy-students-see-historic-needlepoint-scenes-at-state-museum

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Wool and The Floss Reopens

Michigan stitchers (and folks who are going to be in Michigan soon) will be thrilled to hear that The Wool and The Floss in Grosse Pointe has reopened after a construction makeover under a new owner.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/jocelynn-brown/2017/06/15/wool-floss-gets-new-owner/102897846/

Here is the shop contact information and a map in case you are driving by.
http://www.thewoolandthefloss.net

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stories, A Stitch at a Time

Connie Pickering Stover shows off some of her original work and explains how she uses needlepoint to tell stories, one stitch at a time.
http://www.boredpanda.com/i-tell-stories-one-tiny-stitch-at-a-time/?utm_source=author&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AuthorShare

If you aren't familiar with Connie's work, you can visit her website.  It's a fun browse.
http://conniepickeringstover.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 31, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.